Park natural resource staff conducted the annual assessment of piping plover (PIPL) breeding habitat and identified prenesting areas based on current habitat conditions and consideration of PIPL breeding activity in recent years. The pre-nesting areas will be established by March 15, 2011 in accordance with the consent decree. Temporary resource protection areas are established to protect threatened and endangered species, including piping plovers and sea turtles, and for species of concern, including American oystercatchers and colonial waterbirds (terns and black skimmers). Visitors are reminded that pets must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no greater than 6 feet on all National Seashore beaches.